Thanks to everyone who turned out for yesterday's rally to save our parks from the NYU 2031 expansion plan, including Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, Public Advocate Tish James, State Senators Brad Hoylman and Daniel Squadron, former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, Community Board #2, NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan and all our co-plaintiffs in our lawsuit. Thanks also to the cast of STOMP, who performed, and to Tony Award-winning actress Kathleen Chalfant, who spoke in support of our efforts, as well as the hundreds of neighbors, residents, and supporters who attended. See photos from the rally here and the press release here.

In January, Supreme Court Justice Donna Mills ruled in our favor, finding the City had illegally given away parkland to NYU for its plan, effectively blocking much of the project. However, the City and the University are appealing the decision, which had its first hearing in court on Wednesday. It will likely be several weeks or even months before a decision comes down in the case.

While not surprised that NYU has continued to ignore the concerns of the surrounding community, as well as its own faculty, staff, and students, who have expressed vocal opposition to the plan, we are disappointed that Mayor de Blasio has chosen to side with the university thus far and appeal the judge’s ruling, rather than bring NYU back to the negotiating table to come up with a plan that would really work for the Village, the city, and the university. However, it is not too late for the Mayor to change course and do the right thing.